Storage attachment for tables, wall pictures, and the like

ABSTRACT

A storage attachment for tables, wall pictures and like objects having planar surfaces. The attachment includes a semiflexible collar having walls engaged with the outer periphery of the planar surface, and extending beyond the limits thereof, thereby providing a storage area between the collar walls. The storage area may be enclosed by placement of a member over the storage area and in engagement with that portion of the collar remote from the planar surface.

[ Dec. 16, 1975 Uited States atent 1191 Amos 1 1 STORAGE ATTACHMENT FOR TABLES, WALL PICTURES, AND THE LIKE Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or F irmSchlesinger, Arkwright, Garvey & Dinsmore [57] ABSTRACT A storage attachment for tables, wall pictures and like objects having planar surfaces. The attachment includes a semiflexible collar having walls engaged with the outer periphery of the planar surface, and extending beyond the limits thereof, thereby providing a storage area between the collar walls. The storage area may be enclosed by placement of a member over th e References and storage area and in engagement with that portion of UNITED STATES PATENTS the collar remote from the planar surface.

3.152.848 Kalka 312/241 3.850.342 11/1974 3127284 12 Clam, 4 D'awmg Fgures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet1of2 3,926,488

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Fig. 2

US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,926,488

\ |l|||||||||| lll l1! STORAGE ATTACHMENT FOR TABLES, WALL PICTURES, AND THE LIKE Y BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS 7 It frequently occurs that many living or work facilities lack sufficient storage areas for relatively small items such as gameboards, game pieces, tools, and other articles normally used in certain areas of the facilities. Even where there are storage areas, such as cabinets, closets, etc., such are made with the sole purpose of being for storage and do not serve any other useful purpose.

It is an object of this invention to provide a storage attachment for commonly used household items such as tables, wall pictures and the like, which attachment is readily engaged with the table or picture to enable them to perform a storage function in addition to the utility or decorative function of the item.

Another object is to provide a storage attachment of the character described which is readily engaged with a planar surface of the article to which it is attached, the attachment including means for hiding from view the items stored therein, but wherein the items are readily accessible when needed.

A further object is to provide a storage attachment which comprises a collar adaptor which may be readily fitted to a table or wall picture, the collar being of economic construction and readily manufactured in different shapes and sizes for attachment to a variety of articles having planar surfaces.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description of the presently preferred forms of the invention, taken in connection with the appended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage attachment of the present invention, illustrating its use as applied to a table, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose details of construction; I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. I, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the collar forming a part of the storage attachment of the inven tion, and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the storage attachment of the present invention illustrating its ap plication to a wall picture, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose details of construction.

DESCRIPTION OF FORM OF INVENTION ILLUSTRATED IN FIGS. 1 TO 3 In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a storage attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention which is generally designated applied to a conventional table 12 which includes a table top 14 and legs 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, storage attachment 10 comprises a collar 18 adapted for contiguous engagement with the edges of the table top which collar is preferably constructed of a semirigid material such as polypropylene. Collar 18 is of polygonal shape, and includes side members 20, 22, 24 and 26 which are of a predetermined height. Sides and 24 are provided with opposed, inwardly extending supporting tabs 28 and 30 which are preferably coplanar with the lower edges ,of walls 20 and 24. Sides 20, 22, 24 and 26 are further provided 2 with a plurality of spaced ribs indicated at 32, 34, 36 and 38, which ribs extend transversely of the sides, are of uniform length and in the same predetermined spaced relation with respect to the longitudinal edges of the side members.

It will be noted from FIG. 2 that a terminal of ribs 32 and 36 are transversely spaced from tabs 28 and 30, a distance which is substantially equal to the thickness of table top 14. The opposite terminal of each of said ribs 32, 34, 36 and 38 is spaced from a longitudinal edge of the side members a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a removable cover member 40 adapted for fitting engagement within the confines of the collar, the top of the cover being substantially coplanar with the upper edge of the collar. Cover 40 and table top 14 lie in a spaced relation thereby providing a storage area 42 therebetween which is adapted to receive household items such as gameboards 44, or other articles which are to be stored.

The storage attachment of the present invention is readily engaged with table 12 by placing the same over table top 14 and then successively bowing sides 20 and 24 (see FIG. 3) thereof to permit tabs 28 and 30 to be positioned beneath table top 14. Tabs 28 and 30 then serve as abutments or stops to prevent any relative upward movement of the collar with respect to the table, and vertical ribs 32, 34, 36 and 38, engaged with the upper face of table top 14, positively prevent any downward movement of the collar with respect to the table. Cover member 40 may be positioned within the confines of the collar, ribs 32, 34, 36 and 38 serving as stops or abutments to maintain thetop thereafter in substantially flush position with respect to the upper edge of the collar. I

When it is desired to remove any object or objects from the storage chamber, it is only necessary that any of walls 20, 22, 24 or 26 be bowed outwardly slightly with one finger, while inserting the other finger into the space between the bowed wall and cover member 40 to lift the latter out of engagement with the collar. In the event that gameboards 44 or other large items which take up substantially all of the space between the sides of the collar are stored within chamber 42, any of of flexible walls 20,22, 24 and 26 may be urged outwardly to facilitate removal of the item from the storage area.

DESCRIPTION OF FORM OF INVENTION ILLUSTRATED IN FIG. 4

In FIG. 4, the attachment of the present invention is designated 46 and is shown in engagement with a wall picture 48, the attachment serving as a frame for the picture. Attachment 46 includes a collar 50 embodying four sides 52, 54, 56 and 58, sides 52 and 56 being provided with opposed, inwardly extending supporting tabs 60 and 62, each of which lies in coplanar relation with a longitudinal edge of the side with which it is engaged and in spaced relation to other longitudinal edges thereof. Sides 52, 54, 56 and 58 are respectively provided with ribs 64, 66, 68 and which are in spaced relation to the longitudinal edges of their respective sides. One terminal of ribs 64, 66, 68 and 70 serve to position picture 48 and may be adhesively secured, or affixed in any other suitable manner to thereby retain the picture in place within the attachment when hung on the wall. The opposite terminal of ribs 64 and 68 are spaced from tabs 60 and 62 respectively a distance equal to the thickness of a cover member 72, one side of which may be a gameboard 74. An

3 opening 76 is provided to facilitate hanging of the picture on the wall.

Cover member 72 may be applied to collar 50 in the same manner as in the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, with tabs 60 and 62 engaged with the outer face of cover member 72. There is thereby formed a storage area between picture 48 and cover 72 which may be used for storage of game pieces for the gameboard or any other items to be stored.

With the attachment of the present invention, there is provided simple, low cost means for providing storage area for furniture. wall pictures. and other household items having a planar surface. With this invention also. the items stored are readily inserted into the storage area and are easily accessible when needed. When stored. these items are hidden from view. the item to which the present invention is attached serving its normal function in addition to its storage capacity.

While there has been herein shown and described the presently preferred forms of this invention. it is to be understood that such has been done for purposes of illustration. and various changes may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface of polygonal shape. the attachment including:

a. a polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member,

b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative movement of the component parts thereof.

0. internal ribs extending transversely of the sides of said collar and spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof. and

d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said collar and extending inwardly thereof.

e. each of said supporting tabs being substantially coplanar with a longitudinal edge of a side of said collar, whereby edges of the planar surface may be positioned between said supporting tabs and transverse ribs by flexing one of the sides of said collar,

f. the height of the sides of said collar being greater than that of the planar surface to provide a storage area defined by the planar surface and collar.

2. The storage attachment of claim 1 with the addition of:

a. a cover member having a second planar surface,

b. the sides of said collar being in substantially contiguous relation with the periphery of said cover member and said second planar surface being supported by said internal ribs in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.

3. A storage attachment for a member having a pla nar surface of polygonal shape, the attachment includa. a polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member.

b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative movement of the component parts thereof.

c. internal ribs extending transversely of the sides of said collar and spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof.

d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said collar and extending inwardly thereof.

e. each of said supporting tabs being substantially coplanar with a longitudinal edge of a side of said collar. and

f. a cover member positioned within said collar between an edge of said collar and said internal ribs by flexing one of the sides of said collar.

g. the planar surface of the member being positioned within said collar in spaced relation to said cover member. whereby a storage area is formed there between.

4. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface. the attachment including:

a. collar means in contiguous engagement with the peripheral edges of the planar surface,

b. said collar means being constructed of a semi-fle xible material and comprising a plurality of side members.

c. a portion of said collar means extending beyond the limits of the planar surface to provide a storage area defined by the collar means and planar surface.

d. supporting tabs extending inwardly of said collar means into engagement with the member.

e. rib means extending transversely of said collar means and spaced from said supporting tabs.

f. the planar surface of the member being engaged with said rib means at a point remote from said supporting tabs. and

g. a cover member positioned within said collar means between said rib means and a limit of said collar means.

h. said cover member being in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.

5. A storage attachment for a member having a pla nar surface. the attachment including:

a. collar means in contiguous engagement with the periphery of the member.

b. said collar means being constructed of a semifle xible material to permit relative movement of portions thereof. whereby engagement of the collar means with the member is facilitated.

c. a portion of said collar means extending beyond the limits of the member to provide a storage area defined by the collar means and the planar surface of the member. and

d. means for holding said collar means in engagement with the member.

6. The storage attachment of claim 5, with the addition of:

a. a cover member engaged with said collar means in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.

7. The storage attachment of claim 6, wherein:

a. said cover member has a second planar surface.

b. the inner periphery of said collar means being in substantially contiguous relation with the outer periphery of said cover member.

8. The storage attachment of claim 7, with the addition of:

a. means carried by said collar means for holding said cover member in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.

9. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface of polygonal shape. the attachment includa polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member,

b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative flexing movement of the sides of said collar, whereby engagement of said collar with the member is facilitated,

c. a portion of said collar extending beyond the limits of the member to provide a storage area defined by said collar and the planar surface of the member, and

d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said member and extending inwardly thereof into engagement with the member.

10. The storage attachment of claim 9, with the addition of:

a. a cover member engaged with said collar in spaced 1 relation to the planar surface of the member. 11. The storage attachment of claim 10, wherein: a. said cover member has a second planar surface. b. the inner periphery of said collar being in substantially contiguous relation with the outer periphery of said cover member. 12. The storage attachment of claim 11, with the addition of:

a. spaced abutment means on the inner periphery of the sides of the collar for supporting said cover member in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member. 

1. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface of polygonal shape, the attachment including: a. a polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member, b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative movement of the component parts thereof, c. internal ribs extending transversely of the sides of said collar and spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof, and d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said collar and extending inwardly thereof, e. each of said supporting tabs being substantially coplanar with a longitudinal edge of a side of said collar, whereby edges of the planar surface may be positioned between said supporting tabs and transverse ribs by flexing one of the sides of said collar, f. the height of the sides of said collar being greater than that of the planar surface to provide a storage area defined by the planar surface and collar.
 2. The storage attachment of claim 1 with the addition of: a. a cover member having a second planar surface, b. the sides of said collar being in substantially contiguous relation with the periphery of said cover member and said second planar surface being supported by said internal ribs in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.
 3. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface of polygonal shape, the attachment including: a. a polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member, b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative movement of the component parts thereof, c. internal ribs extending transversely of the sides of said collar and spaced from the longitudinal edges thereof, d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said collar and extending inwardly thereof, e. each of said supporting tabs being substantially coplanar with a longitudinal edge of a side of said collar, and f. a cover member positioned within said collar between an edge of said collar and said internal ribs by flexing one of the sides of said collar, g. the planar surface of the member being positioned within said collar in spaced relation to said cover member, whereby a storage area is formed therebetween.
 4. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface, the attachment including: a. collar means in contiguous engagement with the peripheral edges of the planar surface, b. said collar means being constructed of a semi-flexible material and comprising a plurality of side members, c. a portion of said collar means extending beyond the limits of the planar surface to provide a storage area defined by the collar means and planar surface, d. supporting tabs extending inwardly of said collar means into engagement with the member, e. rib means extending transversely of said collar means and spaced from said supporting tabs, f. the planar surface of the member being engaged with said rib means at a point remote from said supporting tabs, and g. a cover member positioned within said collar means between said rib means and a limit of said collar means, h. said cover member being in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.
 5. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface, the attachment including: a. collar means in contiguous engagement with the periphery of the member, b. said collar means being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative movement of portions thereof, whereby engagement of the collar means with the member is facilitated, c. a portion of said collar means extending beyond the limits of the member to provide a storage area defined by the collar means and the planar surface of the member, and d. means for holding said collar means in engagement with the member.
 6. The storage attachment of claim 5, with the addition of: a. a cover member engaged with said collar means in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.
 7. The storage attachment of claim 6, wherein: a. said cover member has a second planar surface, b. the inner periphery of said collar means being in substantially contiguous relation with the outer periphery of said cover member.
 8. The storage attachment of claim 7, with the addition of: a. means carried by said collar means for holding said cover member in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.
 9. A storage attachment for a member having a planar surface of polygonal shape, the attachment including: a. a polygonal collar comprising a plurality of sides of predetermined height in contiguous relation with the peripheral edges of the planar surface of the member, b. said collar being constructed of a semiflexible material to permit relative flexing movement of the sides of said collar, whereby engagement of said collar with the member is facilitated, c. a portion of said collar extending beyond the limits of the member to provide a storage area defined by said collar and the planar surface of the member, and d. supporting tabs engaged with a plurality of the sides of said member and extending inwardly thereof into engagement with the member.
 10. The storage attachment of claim 9, with the addition of: a. a cover member engaged with said collar in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member.
 11. The storage attachment of claim 10, wherein: a. said cover member has a second planar surface, b. the inner periphery of said collar being in substantially contiguous relation with the outer periphery of said cover member.
 12. The storage attachment of claim 11, with the addition of: a. spaced abutment means on the inner periphery of the sides of the collar for supporting said cover member in spaced relation to the planar surface of the member. 